Web panel attachment system

ABSTRACT

The attachment system includes an inner carrier, in which the object being carried is held in place, and an outer jacket sized to fit around the inner carrier and slidingly move with respect to said inner carrier. A first set of hooks oriented in a first direction are mounted on the inner carrier and a second set of hooks are mounted on the outer jacket and oriented in a direction opposite to the first set of hooks. Each set of hooks are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps (webbing) on the web panel carrier. The inner carrier and jacket are then manually separated vertically by a user and held in place by means of at least one detent formed by the inner carrier and jacket, such that the first and second sets of hooks vertically separate. The detent comprises one or more latching tabs on the surface of one of the carrier and jacket and a plurality of apertures, ridges, or the like formed on one surface of the other of said carrier and jacket and opposite to said latching tabs. The vertical separation of the two sets of hooks enables a tension load to be applied to the webbing, thereby holding the inner carrier and jacket in place on said carrier. 
     Or a carrier body, in which the object being carried is held in place, said carrier body having a first set of hooks oriented in a first direction formed as a feature of the carrier body; a slide sized to fit in an aperture on one side of the carrier body secured by a tongue and groove track, said slide having a second set of hooks formed as a feature of the slide and oriented in a direction towards the first set of hooks; and a detent comprising of a spring loaded locking bar on the bottom of the slide and two wedge shaped features found at the extremities of the locking bar; and wherein each set of hooks are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps on a web panel carrier, said carrier body and slide and their corresponding hooks enabled to be manually compressed vertically by a user such that they are held in place with respect to each other by means of said spring loaded locking bar, and such that the vertical compression of the two sets of hooks puts a compression load on the webbing, thereby enabling the carrier body and slide to be held in place on said carrier.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/746,543, filed 27 Dec. 2012. The invention relates to attachment systems to secure articles to a garment or the like, and more particularly, to an attaching system for readily removing and securing ammunition magazine carriers or other modular accessories to a MOLLE/PALS compliant garment or similarly designed garment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Background of the Invention

Currently, there are various techniques known in the art for securing objects to a garment, such as a Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE), a Pouch Attachment Ladder system (PALS), or similar carrier. Examples of such attachment systems are described in Rogers, et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0277936, and Kadas, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0307878.

In Rogers, et al, the attachment mechanism comprises opposed tines that are spring loaded so that insertion of the gear piece is performed by compressing the two tines towards one another until the tines clear a wall at which point the springs cause the tines to extend into a hole to fix the gear piece with respect to a receiver. This mechanism is also seen in Chang, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2001/0032379, for use as a luggage fastener, and Chen, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0074772, for use as a belt buckle. An even earlier example of the use of opposed fingers held in place in two recesses using a spring loaded force is the simple binder clip.

In Kadas, the attachment mechanism comprises an interface member 28 that is attached to the webbed panel by means of a tab 26. See FIG. 3, which shows these pieces disassembled. Tab 26 is inserted from the top through an entrance aperture 36 in interface member 28 so that it is positioned to fit in the interleaved recesses formed in the webbed panel and in the interface member 28. The gear piece 66 is then attached to the interface member 28 by means of rails 52 formed on the surface of an application member 30. These rails 52 fit in a slot 48 in interface member 28, as best seen in FIG. 12. As can be seen, the gear piece 66 is held in place on the vest by the force of gravity applied to the upper web panel to which the interface member 28 is attached, along with the clamping force generated by tab 26. Similarly, the gear piece 66 is held against interface member 28 by the force of gravity holding the rails 52 in slot 48.

Other examples of the use of a tab structure for holding a gear piece against a webbed panel carrier include the following references: Kirk, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,707 (See especially FIG. 4 which discloses the use of a strap 24 to hold a gear piece (a pocket 12) against the vest 10); Wemmer, U.S. Pat. No. 7,080,430 (See the locking member 310 in FIG. 3 which is used to join together the vest 304 and the accessory object 308); Yeates, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,503 (See FIG. 10 which shows another version of a locking member); and Brillhart, I I I, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,843, which teaches a different type of rail and slot fastener for a removably attachable pocket. There are also several examples of references where the attachment system uses one or more straps that are weaved through the webbing strips, including: Bergeron, U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,862; Gregory, et al., U.S. Publication No. US2011/0191933; and Coffey, U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,566.

Lastly, examples of references where the fastening system comprises hooks for hooking the horizontal webbing strips on the surface of the vest include the following: Carlson, U.S. Pat. No. 7,774,864; and Grundy, et al., U.S. Publication No. US2010/0001155. Detents have long been used to releasably secure one object to another. In many cases, the detent comprises a latching pin formed on one object that is biased by a spring into an aperture, slot, or the like formed on the surface of a second object. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,380, for example, two tubes are secured together by a detent formed by a detent pin mounted on an inner tube which extends through openings in both the inner tube and an outer tube's walls when these openings are properly aligned. The detent pin is releasably held in place by a leaf spring attached to the detent pin. Pushing a button causes a countervailing force to be applied to the leaf spring to cause the detent pin to withdraw from the two openings, to thereby enable the two tubes to be separated.

There is a need for an improved quick attach and detach system for a carrier, such as an ammunition pouch, that is compatible with the conventional MOLLE, PALS, and other compatible equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The key aspect of the web panel attachment system according to one embodiment of the invention is the use of counter-opposed hooks that are inserted under the straps on the MOLLE, PALS, or other compatible carrier. The attachment system includes an inner carrier, in which the object being carried is held in place, and an outer jacket sized to fit around the inner carrier and slidingly move with respect to said inner carrier. A first set of hooks oriented in a first direction are mounted on the inner carrier and a second set of hooks are mounted on the outer jacket and oriented in a direction opposite to the first set of hooks. Each set of hooks are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps (webbing) on the web panel carrier. The inner carrier and jacket are then manually separated vertically by a user and held in place by means of at least one detent formed by the inner carrier and jacket, such that the first and second sets of hooks vertically separate. The detent comprises latching tabs on the surface of one of the carrier and jacket and a plurality of apertures or the like formed on one surface of the other of said carrier and jacket and opposite to said latching tabs. The vertical separation of the two sets of hooks enables a tension load to be applied to the webbing, thereby holding the inner carrier and jacket in place on said carrier.

Different embodiments of detents are useable according to the present invention, including where the inner carrier has a row of holes formed on one surface and the corresponding inner surface of the jacket has a latching tab formed thereon positioned to mate with each of the holes. As the inner carrier and jacket are slidingly moved by a user with respect to each other, the tab mates with each of the holes in the inner carrier enabling the user to selectively position the inner carrier with respect to the outer jacket at different positions. In another embodiment, two sets of detents are provided with each on opposite sides of the inner carrier and jacket.

In one embodiment, the detent is formed in such a way that slidable movement of the inner carrier and jacket are enabled in one direction but not the other, e.g., so as to enable a user to separate the inner carrier and jacket, thereby causing the opposed sets of hooks to move apart and fasten the inner carrier and jacket to the MOLLE vest. An end tab is formed on the jacket to enable the user to mechanically disengage the detent to allow slidable movement of the inner carrier and jacket in the opposite direction, thereby enabling the opposed sets of hooks to move closer together, so as to enable the inner carrier and jacket to be disengaged from the MOLLE vest. In an alternate embodiment, the action of the detent can be reversed so that slidable movement in a direction where the opposed sets of hooks move together are enabled by the detent and movement in a direction where the opposed sets of hooks move apart is enabled only when the user mechanically disengages the detent. In one embodiment of this, the opposed sets of hooks are positioned to point towards each other such that the inner carrier and jacket are retained on the carrier by the application of a compressive force by the hooks as the hooks are moved together. In another embodiment, the opposed sets of hooks are positioned to point towards each other such that the carrier body and the slide are retained on the carrier by the application of a compressive force by the hooks as the hooks are moved together.

In one embodiment, the invention is a web panel attachment system comprising:

an inner carrier, in which the object being carried is held in place, said inner carrier having a first set of hooks oriented in a first direction mounted on the inner carrier; an outer jacket sized to fit around the inner carrier and slidingly move with respect to said inner carrier, said jacket having a second set of hooks mounted on the outer jacket oriented in a direction opposite to the first set of hooks; and a detent comprising a latching tab on the surface of one of the carrier and jacket and a plurality of apertures or the like formed on one surface of the other of said carrier and jacket and positioned opposite to said latching tab; and wherein each set of hooks are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps on a web panel carrier, said inner carrier and jacket and their corresponding hooks enabled to be manually separated vertically by a user such that they are held in place with respect to each other by means of said detent, and such that the vertical separation of the two sets of hooks puts a tension load on the webbing, thereby enabling the inner carrier and jacket to be held in place on said carrier.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a web panel attachment system comprising:

a carrier body, in which the object being carried is held in place, said carrier body having a first set of hooks oriented in a first direction formed as a feature of the carrier body; a slide sized to fit in an aperture on one side of the carrier body secured by a tongue and groove track, said slide having a second set of hooks formed as a feature of the slide and oriented in a direction towards the first set of hooks; and a detent comprising of a spring loaded locking bar on the bottom of the slide and two wedge shaped features found at the extremities of the locking bar; and wherein each set of hooks are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps on a web panel carrier, said carrier body and slide and their corresponding hooks enabled to be manually compressed vertically by a user such that they are held in place with respect to each other by means of said spring loaded locking bar, and such that the vertical compression of the two sets of hooks puts a compression load on the webbing, thereby enabling the carrier body and slide to be held in place on said carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a typical MOLLE/PALS vest form of gear carrier.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention with an object positioned inside.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a top cross-sectional view of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one half of one embodiment of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 9 is a top view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 12 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 13 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 15 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 16 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 17 is a top view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 is perspective view of another embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of half of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a side view of half of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is an end view of half of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a top view of half of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 25 is an end view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 26 is a top view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention with an object positioned inside.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention with an object positioned inside.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 31 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 32 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 33 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 34 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 35 is a top view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 36 is an end view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 37 is an end view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 38 is a rear view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 39 is a bottom view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 40 is a top view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 41 is a front view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 42 is a rear view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 43 is a front view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention with an object ready to be positioned inside.

FIG. 44 is a rear view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention with an object ready to be positioned inside.

FIG. 45 is an end view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 46 is bottom view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention with an object ready to be positioned inside as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 47 is an top view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system according to the invention with an object ready to be positioned inside as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 48 is rear view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system with the slide removed from the carrier body according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 49 is a front view of a slide of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 50 is an end view of a slide of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 51 is a rear view of a slide of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 52 is a rear view of a slide of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 2-52. In FIG. 1, a typical MOLLE covered vest 10 is shown. In the MOLLE vest, horizontal straps (e.g., at 20) and vertical stitching (e.g., at 30) create spaced apart fastening loops on the vest.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 2-17.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system 100 according to the invention with an object 110 positioned inside and FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system 100 according to the invention. Attachment system 100 includes an inner carrier 130 and a jacket 140 positioned on the outside of the carrier 130 enabled to sliding move with respect to the inner carrier. A first set of hooks 150 oriented in a first direction are mounted on the inner carrier 130 and a second set of hooks 160 are mounted on the outer jacket 140 and oriented in a direction opposite to the first set of hooks 150. Each set of hooks 150, 160 are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps (webbing) on the web panel carrier.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 5 is a top cross-sectional view of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a detent 120 comprising latching tabs 170 formed on jacket positioned in apertures 180. It is noted that in the embodiment shown, web panel attachment system 100 includes a plurality of latching tabs 170 and apertures on opposite sides of inner carrier 130 and jacket 140. FIG. 4 shows that this detent 120 causes inner carrier 130 and jacket 140 to be mechanically fixed to each other. Each detent 120 includes an end tab 190 formed on jacket 140. End tab 190 including a lip 200 and slots 210. Lip 200 and slots 210 enable a user to pull tab 190 away from the inner carrier 130 to cause latching tabs 170 to disengage from apertures 180, thereby releasing detent 120 and enabling jacket 140 to slidingly move with respect to inner carrier 130. This enables the user to disengage hooks 150 and 160 from MOLLE vest 10 and thereby remove the jacket 140 and inner carrier 130 from vest 10.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one half of one embodiment of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 6 shows the placement of one embodiment of apertures 180 of detent 120.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIG. 9 is a top view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, end tab 190 includes lip 200 and slots 210. The latching tabs 170 are best seen in FIG. 9. See also FIGS. 2 and 3 for showing how lip 200 and slots 210 of end tab 190 are positioned on the jacket 140 of web panel attachment system 100.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks 160 for attachment to the jacket 140 of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 12 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 13 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 14-26.

FIG. 18 is perspective view of another embodiment of a web panel attachment system 100′ according to the invention. As seen in FIG. 18, the detent 120′ in this embodiment includes a plurality of ridges 240 formed on at least one outer surface of inner carrier 130′ for engagement with a latching tab 250 formed on an inner surface of jacket 140′ (see FIG. 26, described below, which shows where tab 250 is positioned in this embodiment). FIG. 18 also shows how the hooks 150′ of inner carrier 130′ preferably hook into the webbing 20 of a MOLLE vest 10 when the attachment system 100′ is used to mount the inner carrier 130′ and jacket 140′ to vest 10. Hooks 160′ of jacket 140′ similarly hook into webbing 20 of vest 10. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks 150′ for attachment to the inner carrier 130′ of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 15 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 16 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 17 is a top view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of half of an inner carrier 130′ of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a side view of half of an inner carrier 130′ of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18 and best shows where the plurality of ridges 240 are positioned on opposite sides of carrier 130′.

FIG. 21 is an end view of half of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 22 is a top view of half of an inner carrier of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a jacket 140′ of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 25 is an end view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 26 is a top view of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIG. 18. Latching tabs 250 are best seen in FIG. 26. As shown, separate latching tabs 250 are positioned on opposite sides of jacket 140′ in this embodiment for engagement with adjacent ridges 240 (not shown) formed on inner carrier 130′. FIGS. 23 and 25 also show the placement of an end tab 190′ for disengaging the detent of this embodiment of attachment system 100′.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 27-42.

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system 100 according to the invention with an object 110 positioned inside and FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system 100 according to the invention. Attachment system 100 includes an inner carrier 120 and a jacket 130 positioned on the outside of the carrier 120 enabled to sliding move with respect to the inner carrier. A first set of hooks 320 oriented in a first direction are mounted on the inner carrier 120 and a second set of hooks 310 are mounted on the outer jacket 130 and oriented in a direction opposite to the first set of hooks 320. Each set of hooks 310, 320 are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps (webbing) on the web panel carrier.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks 320 for attachment to the jacket 130 of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 31 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 32 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 33 is an end view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 34 is a side view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 35 is a top view of one embodiment of a set of hooks for attachment to the jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 36 is an end view of a jacket 140′ of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 37 is an end view of a jacket 140′ of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 38 is a rear view of a jacket 140′ of the web panel attachment system according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 39 is a top view of one embodiment of a jacket and shows the latching tabs 170 of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 40 is a bottom view of one embodiment of a jacket and shows the latching tabs 170 of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 41 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28,

FIG. 42 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, and FIGS. 39 and 40 is a top and bottom view respectively of one embodiment of a jacket of the web panel attachment system according to the invention shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. As best seen in FIGS. 41 and 42, end tab 190 includes lip 200 and slots 210. The latching tabs 170 are best seen in FIGS. 39 and 40. See also FIGS. 27 and 28 for showing how lip 200 and slots 210 of end tab 190 are positioned on the jacket 140 of web panel attachment system 100.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 43-52.

FIG. 43 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention with an object 110 ready to be positioned inside.

FIG. 44 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention. Attachment system 400 includes a carrier body 410, in which the object being carried is held in place, a first set of hooks 420 oriented in a first direction formed as a feature of the carrier body; a slide sized to fit in an aperture on one side of the carrier body 430 secured by a tongue 480 and groove track 470 as best seen in FIGS. 48, 49, 50 and 52, slide 430 having a second set of hooks 440 formed as a feature of the slide and oriented in a direction towards the first set of hooks 420, a spring loaded locking bar 450 holds the carrier body 410 and the slide 430 in place with respect to each other. Each set of hooks 420, 440 are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps (webbing) on the web panel carrier.

FIG. 45 is an end view of a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 46 is a bottom view of a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 47 is top view of a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 48 is a rear view of a web panel attachment system 400 shown with the carrier body 410 separated from the slide 430 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 49 is a front view of the slide 430, also shown is the groove track 470, spring loaded locking bar 450 and two wedge shaped features 460 used for securing the slide 430 to the carrier body 410 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 50 is an end view of the slide 430 for a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 51 is a rear view of the slide 430 for a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

FIG. 52 is a rear view of the slide 430 for a web panel attachment system 400 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.

The foregoing descriptions of various specific embodiments in accordance with the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The invention is to be construed according to the claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A web panel attachment system comprising: an inner carrier, in which the object being carried is held in place, said inner carrier having a first set of hooks oriented in a first direction mounted on the inner carrier; an outer jacket sized to fit around the inner carrier and slidingly move with respect to said inner carrier, said jacket having a second set of hooks mounted on the outer jacket oriented in a direction opposite to the first set of hooks; and a detent comprising a latching tab on the surface of one of the carrier and jacket and a plurality of apertures or the like formed on one surface of the other of said carrier and jacket and positioned opposite to said latching tab; and wherein each set of hooks are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps on a web panel carrier, said inner carrier and jacket and their corresponding hooks enabled to be manually separated vertically by a user such that they are held in place with respect to each other by means of said detent, and such that the vertical separation of the two sets of hooks puts a tension load on the webbing, thereby enabling the inner carrier and jacket to be held in place on said carrier.
 2. A web panel attachment system comprising: a carrier body, in which the object being carried is held in place, said carrier body having a first set of hooks oriented in a first direction formed as a feature of the carrier body; a slide sized to fit in an aperture on one side of the carrier body secured by a tongue and groove track, said slide having a second set of hooks formed as a feature of the slide and oriented in a direction towards the first set of hooks; and a detent comprising of a spring loaded locking bar on the bottom of the slide and two wedge shaped features found at the extremities of the locking bar; and wherein each set of hooks are sized to fit into corresponding web panels or straps on a web panel carrier, said carrier body and slide and their corresponding hooks enabled to be manually compressed vertically by a user such that they are held in place with respect to each other by means of said spring loaded locking bar, and such that the vertical compression of the two sets of hooks puts a compression load on the webbing, thereby enabling the carrier body and slide to be held in place on said carrier. 